Amendment_4.doc

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

USDA Forest Service Black Hills National Forest

8221 S. Hwy. 16 Rapid City, SD 57702 USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

8221 S. Hwy. 16

Rapid City, SD 57702

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AG-67T0-S-13-0007

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

04/17/2013

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10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

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The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers FORMCHECKBOX is extended, FORMCHECKBOX is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

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B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

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D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor FORMCHECKBOX is not, FORMCHECKBOX is required to sign this document and return 1 copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.

Thinning/Fuel Reduction HC IDIQ The purpose of this amendment is to address additional questions and extend the bid date by three calendar days.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Question #1 – Clarification: In your questions and answer dated 05-16-2013 it states that you do not anticipate any stands being the low range of steams per acre but the over whelming majority is in the low stems/acre. exe. POL Thinning. Which one is correct?

Answer: The Schedule of Items identifies two differing stand conditions. 0 – 4,000 stems per acre, or 4,001 – 9,000 stems per ace in Pre-commercial thinning; and 0 – 500 and 501 – 1,500 stems per acre in POL Thinning. Although we have listed the variance for the stems per acre, we do not anticipate any stands being in the low range in pre-commercial thinning units, however the low range will be most common in the POL units.

Question #2 – In your answer poster in Fedbiz Ops it was stated that the 18 X 18 foot spacing would result in 33.5 trees per acre and that 20 X 20 foot spacing would result in 27.25 trees per acre. Is this correct? Is this the number we should go with? I think the number of cut trees in answer is also inaccurate. Please clarify

Answer: The Schedule of Items identifies standard spacing guidelines, example 18’ x 18’, 20’ x 20’, 22’ x 22’ etc. With proper spacing of the leave trees by a contractor, the contractor should leave approximately 134 trees/acre with a 18’ spacing and 109 trees/acre with a 20’ spacing. In a POL unit with an average of 500 trees per acre with a 20’ x 20’ spacing, the contractor would cut approximately 391 trees/acre. Contractors are required to check for proper spacing with a series of 1/20th acre plots (26.4’ radius). With the example of 18’ x 18’ spacing listed above, the contractor should have an average of 6.7 trees per plot. In a unit with a 20’ x 20’ spacing, the average number of trees within a plot are 5.45.

Question #3 - Beings that there is no samples units to look at, how many trees will be removed from and decked? Is there a average number? If samples where available we would come up with our own estimate?

Revised Answer: The Schedule of Items identifies two differing stand conditions. 0 – 4,000 stems per acre, or 4,001 – 9,000 stems per ace in Pre-commercial thinning; and 0 – 500 and 501 – 1,500 stems per acre in POL Thinning. Although we have listed the variance for the stems per acre, we do not anticipate any stands being in the low range in pre-commercial thinning units, however the low range will be most common in the POL units. The estimate of stems per acre are based on an average within a unit. The Schedule of Items identifies standard spacing guidelines, example 18’ x 18’, 20’ x 20’, 22’ x 22’ etc. With proper spacing of the leave trees by a contractor, the contractor should leave approximately 134 trees/acre with a 18’ spacing and 109 trees/acre with a 20’ spacing. In a POL unit with an average of 500 trees per acre with a 20’ x 20’ spacing, the contractor would cut approximately 391 trees/acre. Now this is all dependent on if all the trees are within the cutting guidelines which rarely happens. For skidding purposes, approximately 30-40% of the cut trees would fall within the requirement for skidding . Again this will be on a unit by unit basis. Each stand will be different depending on terrain, slope, if logging has occurred previously, position on the slope, etc. Stems per acre, and size class of trees is very dependent on slope, aspect, terrain, position on the slope, presence of rock, etc. There actually is no hard fast rule in regard to exactly how many stems are to be cut or skidded. That’s why the contractor is encouraged to look at units or the general geographic area before bidding.